[Ads-l] frenemy/frienemy (1891, 1932, etc.)

[Ben Zimmer]

I wrote about the term "frenemy" (also spelled "frienemy") for the
Atlantic, after Tom Steyer used it in Tuesday night's Democratic debate.

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/10/cnn-democratic-presidential-debate-frenemies-political-term/600121/

OED3 has it from 1953 in a Walter Winchell column, but that there are
several antedatings available in the databases (including in an earlier
Winchell column). I discuss these cites in the Atlantic piece.

----
The Norton (Kans.) Champion, Dec. 17, 1891, p. 3, col. 1
Hon. George A. Spaulding, the Machiavelian diplomatist of Phillipsburg, was
in the city yesterday on legal business. During an hour's wily interview he
permitted us to surmise that while not in the hands of his frienemies
himself, it is an opportunity freighted with big import so shelf-worn
politicians and subsidized statesmen will not be forced to run for office
against their professed wishes.
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37259425/frienemies/
----
Courier-Post (Camden, NJ), Nov. 25, 1932, p. 10, col. 3
Walter Winchell, "On Broadway"
Ted Stillman has at last discovered the best way to refer to a Broadway
"pal."
Call him a frienemy.
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37259479/frienemy/
----
Better Homes and Gardens, Dec. 1938, p. 40, col. 1 [ProQuest]
Harlan Miller, "The Man Next Door"
For use in his endless war games with spears and bows and arrows, our
5-year-old has coined one of the most useful new words of the year 1938 --
"frenemy," a person who is your friend part of the time and your enemy the
rest of the time.
----
Green Bay (Wisc.) Press-Gazette, Apr. 12, 1939, p. 6, col. 3
Harlan Miller, "Washington"
If you listen to the chatter in diplomatic circles, you're apt to conclude
that the alliances and axis in Europe aren't worth the paper clips that
hold 'em together... In fact, my 5-year-old has coined the word "frenemy"
which describes these allies perfectly. A frenemy is someone who's your
friend today, but may be your enemy tomorrow.
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/37259545/frenemy/
----

The cites from the '30s are straightforward enough, but the 1891 item from
Kansas is a head-scratcher. Guess you had to be there.

--bgz

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